Market Risk Insights, Q4 2018: constellations and corrections

Investors scanning the risk universe observed traces of volatility in February and then calm skies until the end of the third quarter. The scenario has changed, with equity markets flaring in October and November.

Seasoned asset-gazers may not be surprised – in our view, market pressures have been building for some time amid slowing growth and trade tensions – and we continue to recommend that investors consider the full gamut of risks and commit to a long-term view as they chart a course ahead.

In the Q4 issue of Market Risk Insights, we report on six key aspects of risk while focusing on the following developments:

The burgeoning BBB-rated corporate credit market

Protectionism, and the largely unpredictable personalities driving these policies in major economies

The reduction of liquidity in non-US markets

Carbon, water and plastics pollution – three of the foremost sustainability risks

Eoin is Head of Investment and a member of the Executive Committee. Eoin also leads the Investment Office, which is responsible to clients for the investment teams’ consistent delivery of responsible, risk-adjusted performance and adherence to the processes which earned them their ‘kitemarks’.

Eoin joined the international business of Federated Hermes in January 2015 with almost 30 years’ investment experience. Eoin joined from GSA Capital Partners, where he was a fund manager. Before this, he was Chief Investment Officer at Old Mutual from 2004 to 2008 and also held senior positions at Callanish Capital Partners LLP and Northern Trust Global Investments. He began his career as a graduate trainee at Manufacturers Hanover Trust (now JPMorgan Chase) and subsequently performed senior portfolio manager roles at Wells Fargo Nikko Investment Advisors (now BlackRock), PanAgora Asset Management and First Quadrant. Eoin earned an MA (Hons) in Economics and Law from the University of Edinburgh and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Eoin is a Freeman of the City of London, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, Upper Warden member of the Guild of Investment Managers, and a Fellow of the RSA. He is a member of the Exmoor Search and Rescue team, a fully qualified Swift-water Rescue Technician, a Powerboat Rescue Operator and a Flood Water Incident Manager.